Knitting machine



Oct. 2, 1951 p, W BRlSTOW 2,569,706

KNITTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 50, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet l IIO se 4-', 62 i 66 a s 26o272 95 aa 262 |o| g 264 2 l 254 103 58 g 1' |03 O 6 @u sa, 4 42 |02 r i ls 8 s l@ I6 l 64 I1 l00\ -3 22 I 24 26 3 2s 88 l, 94 |84 gg INVENTOR.

PAUL W. BRIS TOW vBY F/G./.

ArmRNE s.

P. w. BRlsTow 2,569,706

KNITTING MACHINE Oct. 2, 1951 Original Filed Dec. 30, 1948 '7 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. 94 PAUL W.' BR/STOW www@ ATTORNEYS.

Oct 2, 1951 P. w. BRlsTow 2,569,706

KNITTING MACHINE original Filed Dec. so, 194s 7 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. PAUL w 3R/5 70W i BY LA! Y Y ATTORNEY? P. w. BRlsTow KNITTING MACHINE Oct. 2, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Dec. 50, 1948 INVENTOR. PAUL W. BR/S TOW BY A W Y w ATTORNEYS.

P. W. BRISTOW KNITTING MACHINE Oct. 2, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 30, 1948 F/G. l0.

INVENTOR. PA UL W. BRIS TOW uw v' ATTORNE 5.

Oct. 2, 1951 P. w. BRlsTow 2,569,706

KNITTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 50, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Y INVENTOR.

PAUL W. BRIS TOW ATTORNEYS.

P. W. BRISTOW KNITTING MACHINE Oct. 2, 1951 original Filed'nec. 5o, 194s 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 ,RW w Q .mi n mm m 2v Vm. m5 l r V T /QQ A. 1 T f Il l I l I. iii- Il- -J 1B A l.- @.I Q.VML I. Il. Il Il. 'I .Il ,Il lll IIIIIIIIII llvllll l 1:1 1 7 wmwm 1 111 L. me my oww, IJ@ 2b h U H@ A Y IKN- E@ DI B h 2m n @E 95M w #in ww Hmmm mu www. 9

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Patented Oct. 2, 1 951 KNITTING MACHINE Paul W. Bristow, Laconia, N. H., assigner to Scott & Williams, Incorporated, Laconia, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application December 30, 1948, Serial No. 68,114. Divided and this application May 17, 1950, Serial No. 162,550

6 Claims.

- This invention relates to knitting methods and machines and has particular reference to circular knitting on machines of the superposed cylinder type involving provision for the making of wrap patterns.

This application is a division of my application Serial Number 68,114, led December 30, 1948.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide improved wrapping methods and devices whereby elaborate patterning may be accomplished in particular involving the production of the so-called color-in-color work. In accordance with the invention pairs of wrap yarn carriers are associated with each other for the production of multiple color designs with provision for mutual control of the wrap yarn carriers by each other resulting in simplicity of operation. l

The foregoing and other objects of the invention particularly relating to details of construction and operation will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the `accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a vertical axial section through the needle cylinders and the associated wrap yarn presenting mechanism of a knitting machine embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing in particular the mounting arrangement for various cams acting upon Wrap yarn carriers;

Figure 3- is a vertical axial sectionillustratng in particular the arrangement of certain cams acting upon Wrap yarn carriers and the construction of a wrap horn and adjacent parts Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section showing in particular cams for controllingoutward movements of wrap yarn carriers and the controls for these cams;

Figure 5 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow marked 5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a developed inside elevation of various cams illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating in particular the lower ends of a pair of wrap yarn carriers and means for maintaining them in their normal rest position;

. Figures 8 and 9 are elevations illustrating in particular the interrelationships of a pair of Wrap yarn carriers, certain cams for operating these carriers beiner illustrated in section;

, Figure 10 is a diagram showing a typical arrangement of butts for the control of wrap yarn carriers; Y

Figure 11 is a plan view showing the assembly of various cams for controlling the movements of Wrap yarn carriers;

Figures 12, 13, and 14 are plan views` showing the same cams as are illustrated in Figure l1 but in particular illustrating these at different levels and showing in diagram the paths of butts acted upon by the cams; and

Figure 15 is an inside development of various cams for control of rotating parts of the machine, certain of these parts being indicated in construction lines.

The knitting machine embodying the inventions indicated above is of the superposed cylinder type comprising a lower cylinder 2 and an upper cylinder 3. Arranged to slide in slots in the lower cylinder are sliders 4 adapted to engage the lower hooks of double hook latch needles B, the upper hooks of which are engageable by sliders 8 in the upper cylinder.

The lower sliders 4 are provided with butts at two levels l and I2 as hereafter more fully described. Some of these` indicated at 402 are provided with s'awtooth extensions for selection as described more fully in my application Serial Number 68,114. The upper sliders 8 are provided with butts at two levels I6 and i8. The cylinders are preferably provided with inserted fixed walls to denne the slots for reception of the sliders and these walls 2li in the case of the upper cylinder terminate substantially above its lower end so that the lower portions of the slider slots are bounded not by stationary Walls but by movable Walls of two alternative forms arranged to slide in the wall slots in the upper cylinder, One set of these indicated at 22 carry butts 26 and are provided with outwardly and downwardly sloping lower ends as indicated most clearly at 30 in Figures 9 and l5. The other slidable walls indicated at 24 are provided with butts: 28 and have verge bit extensions such as indicated at 32 in Figure 15. The arrangement and functions of these lower ends 3G and the verge bits 32 will be hereafter described. The verge bits are located between the positions of needles which, in the formation of broad ribs, are carried by sliders in the upper cylinder.

The cylinders are rotated and reciprocated in unison through the medium of avertical shaftV 34 which, through conventional gearing is driven by the lower cylinder and which, through gearing indicated at 48 and 42, drives the upper cylinder. The present machine additionally involves the driving of a wrapping assembly which action is effected through gears M and 46, the former being carried by the shaft 34.

Arranged to cooperate with the needles are arcuate sinkers 48 which are provided with butts 50 arranged to be acted upon by stationary cams 52 (see Figure l) supported by a stationary cylinder 54 inside the lower rotating cylinder. This stationary cylinder 4 also supports the fabric guiding tube 56 provided with an extension 51.

The rotary support for the wrap yarn carrying means is indicated generally at 58 (Figure 1). It is secured to the gear 46 and includes a member provided with an annular groove 58, in which groove are received the rounded pivot-forming projections 62 of wrap yarn carriers EA surrounded by spring bands 65 and 82. Dummy spacers 65 are provided in locations where wrap fingers are entirely missing so as to maintain proper tension conditions of the spring bands. As will appear hereafter, in some instances two wrap yarn carriers 54 and 64 are located side by side. in a single slot; if only one carrier is desired in a slot, the position of the other may fbe lled by a dummy carrier which is similar to an active carrier except that it terminates short of a lower yarn-:carrying end. It then may function to limit movements of the active carrierassociated with it, in the fashion .hereafter detailed. Each of the wrap yarn carriers 64 and-64 has an upper extension 68 received in a'notch 10 in an individual jack TS2. These jacks 1.2 are provided with slots arranged so that they may embrace an annular ring M carried by the support 58. -In order to guide the jacks l2 for radial movement and to position them in fixed circumferential locations they are received in slots l'Hi in the support 58. Each Yof the jacks is provided with a plurality of butts i3. As will -be evident hereafter, these butts may be -selectively broken yaway so as to provide :selection in the operation of the wrap yarn carriers.

vEach vof the wrap yarn carriers 564 and 554 is provided with a downward extension extending through the upper cylinder and guided at its upper `end in a radial slot 80 in the support 58. The lower spring band 82 serves to` urge the lower ends vof the wrap yarn carriers inwardly. Butts Mare provided on the wrap yarn carriers to provide for the positive inward movements of their lower Vends and `for the arrest of the outward movements of their lower ends.

At its lower end each wrap yarn carrier is prosmooth lower inner edge portions arranged to cam the wrap yarn downwardly as the wrap yarn finger or carrier is withdrawn inwardly following a wrapping movement. Beyond these openings each carrier is provided with an abutment-engaging 'extension 98.

The wrap yarn carriers 254 and 64 differ from each other only in the fact that the carriers 64 are .provided with laterally extending ears 89 which, as is best indicated in Figure 7, cause the lower ends'of two closely adjacent carriers 64 and 64 supported in the same slot 88 in the support 58 to remain spaced from each other so that the Wrap yarns passing through the Aopenings 88 are notV 'subject to friction or snagging during themovements of the adjacent carriers relative to each other. The ears 89 are of such radial extent lthat during the limited lrelative radial movements of the adjacent wrap yarn carriers these ears are always in position to maintain the lower ends of the carriers circumferen tially spaced from each other.

The wrap yarn carriers are prevented Y from having more than a limited radial relative movement by reason of their being provided with circular holes 9| in which, in the caserof each pair of carriers, there is located 'a disc 93 which is of such smaller diameter than the holes 9| as will .provide the desired limit of relative movement of the lower ends of the carriers, for example, in a typical case the movement is limited to about a half inch. As a result of this construction, if one of the car-riers -is moved outwardly the other will follow it with a definite radial lag of movement of its lower end. In similar fashion the outward movement of one carrier of a pair may be limited by interruption of the outward move- Vment of the other. As will become evident hereless `than -the clearance provided by the slot VBl'l so that these discs neat in the openings '9i and in the slots without any possibility of being disengaged 'from either Vof the pair of associated wrap yarn carriers. A similar disc arrangement is provided in the case of an active wrap yarn carrier associated with a dummy fca'rriier., outward .movements of the active Vcarrier 'being' irestrained by the dummy Vcarrier through their common d-isc 93 when outward movement ofthe dummy carrier is limited by a cam. The interdependence of the movable'carriers will be clear from Figures Sand 9 to which more detailed reference will be made hereafter.

A tube 92, the upper Aend of which is secured in the assembly 58, carries at its lower l'end va "disc 94 which is providedwith radial ns 96, the upper edges of which are turned, as indicated at `98, in a clockwise direction as viewed in plan (see Fig'- ure 7) These edges 98 provide rests `for the purpose of definitely positioning the lower ends VVof the wrap yarn carriers which are Vflexed -n la. counterclockwise direction 'as viewed in plan in order to insure normal engagement with these edges. The disc 94 is notched as indicated 'at 95 in the sole section thereof between the 96 for the free passage of wrap yarns which ex- Y tend in a stocking from la point of interrupted wrapping above the heel, past `the heel and other reg-ions where wrapping does" not occur. The wrap yarns then lie sufliciently inwardly not -to interfere with other operations.

Extending downwardly within the upper cylinder 3 is a stationary cylinder 108, this being interposed between the cylinder 3 and the 4wrap yarn carriers. The cylinder Hill is carried by a portion of the frame which supplies a lower bearing [0l for the rotating support y58. The specific mounting of this `cylinder' is later described;

An axially extending ,rod |02 is guided for lengthwise movement through the 'tube 92 and carries at its lower end `a fabric take-up disc'or pusher |04 provided 'with rounded 'fingers IUE.

The rotating wrap `yarn carrying assembly includes a discY V|08 'on which are supported the wrap yarn bobbins "H0, of `which there is one for each wrapyarn, only one of vthese being illustrated in the interest 'of clarity in Figure l. A'Il'ie wrap yarns passV from these bobbins through tension and take-up devices which are of the type disclosed in the patent to Albert L. ObefholtZ'eh t NO.v 2,506,968, dated May 9, 195.0.

ranged as to permit the entire wrap yarn assem.

is in the form of a horizontal strip |88 and which.

beyond the region of presentation of wrap yarns to the needles has a raised extension |90 which insures a high position of the wrap yarns on the needles as they are raised following wrapping. The trailing end of this horn terminates as a wire |92 which overlaps the sloping end |94 of the wrap horn with clearance in the region of the downwardly and outwardly sloping rounded face |95 of this portion of the wrap horn. The

lower edge of the wrap horn is relieved at |9 for a purpose hereafter pointed out.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6 there may be described those cams which, by acting upon the butts 13 of the jacks 12, serve to project the wrap .yarn carriers across the needle circle. These cams comprise cams 200, 202 and 204 which operate at the rst wrap position and cams 2|0, 2|2 and 2I4 which operate at the second wrap position. The cams 2010, 202 and 204 are pivoted on a common stud 206 and are urged outwardly by individual springs 200. The cams 2|0, 2|2 and 2| 4 are pivoted on a common stud 2 5 and are urged outwardly by individual springs 2|6. Each of the cams 200, 202 and 204 is provided with a back portion 2 8. Individual operators are provided for each of these cams which are identical so that one only need be described. This comprises an adjustable screw 220 carried by a lever 222 pivoted on a stud 224 and urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in plan by a spring 226 against a stop pin 228. A Bowden wire 230 connected to an individual push rod serves to move the lever 222 in a clockwise direction with the result that when no cam on the main cam drum acts on a push rod the screw 220 engaging a high part of the portion 2|8 of the corresponding cam will hold the cam in its innermost active position. When the push rod is raised by a cam on the main cam drum the screw 220 l moves toward the left in Figure 4 and so releases the correspondingrcam to render it inactive. The cams are thus rendered individually contr-ollable through their corresponding push rods and Bowden wires.

The cams at the second wrap position are also individually controlled by a somewhat dierent mechanism. A housing 232 is provided to mount a series of slides 234 each of which is provided with a projection 236 cooperating with a projection 23B on the corresponding cam of this second group. The slides are normally urged downwardly as viewed in Figure 4 by individual springs 240 and are adapted to be pulled against the action of these springs by individual Bowden wires 242 connecting to corresponding plungers acted upon by cams on the main cam drum. When any plunger is not acted upon by its cam its slide will be retracted by its spring 240 and the corresponding cam will be held in operative position. When drum cams act on a plunger its slide will be pulled to a position to permit withdrawal of its cam by its spring 240 to an inoperative position. Individual screws 244 serve to adjust the slides 234 ina direction toward or from the This 6 axis 'of the needle cylinders so as to provide adjustment of the operative positions of the cams. Reference may now be made to Figures 2 and 3 for the assembly which includes the cams 260,

262 and 264 which, by action on the butts |34 of the wrap yarn carriers, serve to move them inwardly of the needle circle and, as will be pointed out hereafter, also serve to limit the outward movements of the wrap yarn carriers;

The main supporting bracket |03 which mounts the bearing |0| for the rotating supporting head ofthe wrap yarn carriers serves for the mounting of a member 246 which supports the tubel |00 for accurate positioning as to its angular circumierential position, as to its height, and also as to its tilt relationship to the axis of vthe needle cylinders. To achieve this screws 248 pass through circumferentially extending slots i250 in thebracket |03 and are threaded into the member 246. Other screws 252 are threaded into tapped openings in the bracket |03 and their lower ends bear upon the upper surface of the member 246. As will be evident, this arrangement of the screws permits substantially uni-- versal adjustment, within limits, of the position of` the member 246 and the tube |00 which it carries, the screws being tightened when the tube |00 is in properly adjusted position. This adjustment is rather critical and is for the purpose of insuring proper relationship to the needles of the wrap horn carried at the lower end of the tube |00.

Secured to the upper surface of the bracket |03 by screws 256 is a plate 254, through circumferential slots` 258 in which the screws extend. This plate 254 serves as a mounting for the cams 200, 202, 204 and 2|0, 2|2 and 2|4 previously described, and their operating elements, and also for the cams 260, 262 and 264. Additionally supported by this plate are a pair of yield cams 266 and 212. The rst of these is pivoted at 268 and urged in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 11 by a spring 210, while the second is pivoted at 214 and is urged clockwise by a spring 216,

At this point there may be described with reference to Figures 8 to 14, inclusive, as well as to Figures 2 to 6, inclusive, the details of operation of the wrap yarn carriers involved in the production of wrapping. A typical arrangement of the butts 13 of the jacks 12 and of the butts 84 of the wrap yarn carriers, and the various cams which operate on these butts, will be described. As will be evident, the arrangements about to be described are subject to rather arbitrary choice but to provide consistent detailed description a particular arrangement is ilustrated and described.

From Figure 1 it will be noted that there'are provided eight levels of butts 13 on the jacks 12. On the present machine only the six lower levels are used, the two uppermost levels being provided for more elaborate or special patterning in which case there would be added two more cams to the set of six illustrated in Figure 6.

Referring now to Figure 10, there are diagrammed therein six typical wrap yarn carriers which are associated in pairs, the members of each pair being of the types 64 and 64 previously referred to mounted in a common slot and associated with a common disc 93 whereby the carriers of the pair are limited in their relative movements. In the diagram of Figure 10 it is assumed that the wrap yarn carriers are moving toward the left past the controlling cams, this movement corresponding to a counterclockwise arcane rotation of the needle. cylinders andthe 'wrap yarnY assembly; The wrap yarni carrier Wi is'` of the, type 64.1" and is arranged to wrap wide panels at the .nrst wrap position while the carrier W2- is of the type 64; and is arranged to` .wrap wide` panels at they second wrap position. The carrier I1. ofthe type S4 is` arranged to! wrapnarrow panels at. the first wrap position on needles of the: instep series while..the carrier I2 is' arranged' to. wrap: narrow panels at ther second wrap posi'- tion. on needles'ofv the instep series. The carrier Si is. arranged tov wrap: narrowV panels ati the: rst wrap position on needlesk of the soleA series and the carrier S2V is arranged to. wrap narrow panels at. the, second wrap position on needles of the sole series. The butts 13 of the jacks corresponding' to these carriers arek shaded and are indicated at levels designated by numerals corresponding to the cams shown in Figure 6 followed by the letter A. As will be noted from Figure 6, the cams 20G-'and 2 l0, which from Fig'- Iure, 10i will be seenl to act upon the butts 13 corresponding to those carriers which wrap wide. panels', are somewhat longer than the other projecti'n'g cams of the groups acting on butts'13. 'lheyA serve to hold outwardly the wide wrappingv carriersvr through a greater angular extent or movement of the needles than is the case off the otherl cams which cooperate with the carriers wrapping narrow panels.

The butts 84'. of the Vwrap yarn` carriers are arranged as in'the lower portion ofJFigure l0, the levels'l of which are designated by numerals corresponding to the return cams 260, 262 and 284` followed'by the letter A. Each of the wrap yarn carriers! W1 has. a. single butt at the level 252A while each of the wrap yarn. carriers W2 has. a single butt at the level 264A. Each of thev wrap yarn carriers of the type I1 or S1 has a pair of butts 84 at the levelsl 289A andl 262A. Each ofthe Wrap yarn carriers of the'type I2 or S2 has a pair of butts titl at thelevels 260A andL 254A..

Referring now to Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, the rst of these Villustrates the various cams viewed from a. level above the yield cams 256 and 212 which are ata common level to act upon shoulders Z'H'of the wrap yarn carriers. Figure 12 is, viewed'v from` a level below the yield cams but above the cams. 2651 and 2692Y which collectively constitute the cam generally designated heretofore as 260. Figure 13 is viewed from a level below the cams 266 but above the cams 2521 and 2522 which collectively constitute Vthe cams 262 previously described. Figure 14 is viewed from still another level 'below the camV 2521 and illustrates thel cams 264, cams 2622 being also active at this level and shown in section.

Reference will rst be made to the sequence of operations involved in wrapping by means ofv the wrap yarn carriers W1 and W2 to wrap wide panels. As they" approach the rst wrap posi'- tion the butt 84 of awrap yarn carrier W1 movingat the level 262A willV be engaged by theY cam 2622 with thel result that thev carrier W1 will be in its extremer inner position. At the same time cant 200Y acts uponthe jack buttjlf of the caririer W1. which is located at:v 'the level 200A.'

caml will. serve to' rock outwardlyv the lower end. of carrier W1, the outward movement being re# strained by the action` of. the. yield cam 266 on the shoulder 211i of this' carrier'. As willbenotedl from Figure 13, the continuity of the. cams at' the level 262A is interrupted at the. rs't wrap position so thatV no cam at this level will restrict the outwardA movement of the lowerV end:r of lthe carrier W11 However, at theY level. 264A there is provided the cam 2li# at: the frst wrapv position.' which will limit the. outward movement of the. butt 84 of the carrier W2 associated: with Wr.

Since the outward movementv of. the carrier W2!- is'thus limited the outward, movement, of` the` carrier .W1 will also be limited by reasonl of the.`

presenceof the disc: 93 projecting through the? holes in the two carriers.` The adjustment :of the cam 202 is such,;of course', as't'o avoid undue strain in attempting to force the carrier W1; out# wardly beyond its limited position.V The con'i struction, however, is such that thefr position of` the lower end of carrier W1 is denitely determined, overthrow being positively limited, byfthe` the cam 2M and the action of the canr 2G21 will;

move the lower end of.' the. carrier; W1 inwardly as indicated in Figure 13. It may be noted'that; the innermost position ofv the edge of the cam: 2821 is Ynot as farl inwardly as the active edgel' of' the cam 2622. 'v

As the butt 84- of the carrier Wzmoving at the level264A clearsthe end of the cam 26d the cam 2li)v will act upon the butt 13 of. the jack asso-- ciated with the carrierV Wzand willproject-the Ylower end of this carrier outwardly,l the outward.

movement being restrained bythe yieldV cia-m212- acting on the shoulder 2,11 of the carrier-' W2.- Theoutward movement of this carrier W2 is` also,- limited,y in this case by the limit ofl thev outward movement ofv the butt` 84 of the: carrier Wr.- by; the cam 221,.the restraint beingeiectedthrough the interconnection of the two carriers` by their common. discl 93'. When the carrier W2' is. -ully` projectedit willengage the. abutment 588 at the'.V second wrap point and will be restrainedso: that.

it will move relatively to the needles which; have been'selected upwardly for wrapping at this seova ond wrap point. Its Wrap yarn will be thereby: introduced to the needles to eiTect a wrapping.

operation.

The next event involvingY carriers W1 andV W2;VV

is their complete inward-.return n'iovenlent.r et; feeted by the action of theV cam 2622, followingrelease of. the carrier W2,` by the cam 2H).Y f

In summary of the above.` it will. be noted that the two associated carriers aresuccessively moved.V outwardly with restraint of each being. eiTected:

by the action of a cam ontheother and thatirr the case of these carriers the outer position is of long 4duration as determined by the elongatedforms of the, cams 200 and 2.10 and delay of re;-v turn actions by the cams 2621 and 26,22..

The controlling actions of these carriers designed to wrap short panels, i. e., the carrier'sl., Y I2, S1 and S2, are quite similar except that, asV will beevidentfrom Figurelz, thereturny actions' hereafter.

are now controlled by the cams 2601 and 2602 acting upon the butts 84 which move at the level 260A their paths being correspondingly designated in Figure 12. The returns of the wrap fingers are accelerated and these accelerated returns are permitted by the shorter lengths of the cams 202, 204, 2|2 and 2|4. The paths involved will be evident from Figure 12. It will be `clear that the projection of the lower ends of these wrap yarn carriers will be restrained by,

`other need not Wrap and, of course, need not carry a wrap yarn. However, both carriers enter into the control of each since the inactive carrier is arranged to limit the outward movement of the active carrier. If a carrier is to be inactive it may be replaced by a dummy carrier essentially the same as an active carrier so far as its butt arrangement is concerned but differing therefrom in having its lower extended portion removed. These dummy carriers which cooperate in limiting the outward movements of active carriers should, of course, be distinguished from a dummy spacer such as 65 which serves no purpose except that of maintaining proper tension on the spring bands 66 and 82.

The general operation of the machine may be best described with particular reference to Figure which illustrates the various cams for controlling the rotating instrumentalities. Some of these correspond generally in their construction and functions to cams commonly provided in this general type of machine. 485 is the lower transfer bolt cam. The press-off bolt cam is 643. The lower cylinder forward stitch cam 650 is mounted in usual fashion for radial adjustment and also together with reverse stitch cam 652 and the lower cam 655 for axial adjustment to control the lengths of stitches drawn by needles operating in the lower cylinder. With these cams there is associated the center cam 654.

The race 656 is followed by the butts 26 and 28 of the sliding walls 22 and 24. At 651 this race acts on the outer edges of the butts 26 and 28 to prevent the sliding walls from being pulled out as the sliders are tilted during transfer actions. The cam 658 is adapted to be moved upwardly during knitting of heels and toes to avoid straining stitches which were drawn in the upper cylinder.

The upper cylinder stitch cam 660 and associated cam 662 are axially adjustable for control of stitch length. Cams 666, 668, 610, 612, 435, 650, 614, 643, 616 and 618 are radially adjustable and have functions which will be hereafter described. A switch cam 664 is axially movable to restore needles to clearing level after the formation of heels and toes. Cams 680 and 682 are provided to act on butts of sliders at clearing level to pro- Yvide space for the location of the picker 684 when it is held down temporarily as will be mentioned The usual raising pickers are provided. at 686 and 688.

The operation of the machine may be best started with consideration of the formation of loopers rounds which constitute the completion of a stocking after the formation of its toe. En this operation all the needles are carried by lower cylinder sliders and the sliders are rotating so as to carry the various elements through the cams from the right to the left to Figure l5. The transfer bolt cam 666 and the welt bolt cam 612 are inactive in the upper cylinder cam section causing the sliders in the upper cylinder to follow a normal knitting race. In the lower cylinder cam section the run down or forward stitch cam 650 is in action and the welt bolt cam 618 is also in action so that all of the needles knit plain stitches in the lower cylinder drawing yarn from a yarn feed finger in the position 645. It will, of course, be clear that as is conventional this machine is provided with a plurality of yarn feeding fingers acting at a single feed point, which fingers may be selectively brought into and taken out of action to provide desired main yarn changes.

Following the formation of the loopers round transfer of alternate needles to the upper cylinder is accomplished in conventional fashion by the action on suitable long and medium transfer butts of the lower cylinder sliders by the lower transfer cam 485. The division of needles thus provided effects the knitting of 1 x l rib fabric.

After the transfer to the 1 x l condition of the needles the welt is made for the press-off draw thread locking courses. The upper welt bolt cam 610 is stepped out, as the long butts are passing to clear short butts, and as the short butts are passing it is pulled all the Way out, leaving the upper cylinder sliders in the welt race at constant level with their knitting butts passing over the top of the stitch cam 660. In the meantime the alternate needles carried by the lower cylinder sliders continue to knit plain fabric. After about three and one half such courses of knitting a change is made to produce the loose or pull courses for the press-olf draw thread.

To effect this result the upper Welt bolt cam 610 is stepped back into action, first against the short butts as they are passing and then fully inwardly as the long butts pass this cam, to resume 1 x l rib knitting on the needles engaged by the upper cylinder sliders. The clearing bolt cam 614 and the press-off bolt cam 643 are now additionally brought into action to act on the lower cylinder sliders. Concurrently with the bringing into action of the cam 643 a latch opener and needle leveler blade (not illustrated herein, but shown in the parent application) are moved into action. The latch opening occurs :as the needles rise over the bolt cam 618. While the needles carried by both top and bottom cylinder sliders now draw yarn at the main yarn feed the lower cylinder sliders pass down the stitch cam 650 but then rise over the cam 614 and cam 615 to clear their stitches, shedding the stitches as they pass under the press-off bolt; cam 643, leaving only the rib needles with loops. The fabric takeup plus the toe pocket weight elongates the rib loops by pulling the extra length of yarn drawn by the needles controlled by the lower cylinder sliders.

After, for example, three andone half courses of the foregoing the cams 610, 614 and 643 are stepped out and Welt knitting is resumed in the fashion previously described. When sufficient welt courses are formed the bolt cam 610 is again stepped into action and the knitting of 1 x 1 rib fabric is resumed.

When enough fabric has been knitted for the formation of a desired 1 x 1 rib top the transfer cams 485 and 666 are introduced to act on the transfer butts of the sliders in the usual Way to change from a 1 x 1 set up of the needles to the 1l desired set up or distribution of the needles for production of the desired broad rib structure of the leg ofthe stocking. This, for example, may involve a 7 x 3 arrangement with a plain panel on each side, for example, seventeen needles wide, in which there may be wrapped a two-color clock.

In the knitting of the leg cams 558 and 610' are in action while 612 is out of action with the result that the needles which are controlled b1 sliders in the upper cylinder take yarn from the 'main yarn iinger at 6135 and knit rib stitches.

InV connection with the lower cylinder the onli7 radially movable cams which are in action are S50, 616 and 618. The cams 616 and 618 serve to level the saw tooth sliders for selection by the cams 400 and Mii under control of trick wheels as described in my application Serial Number 68,114, the controls being now set to cause selection of these cams by the trick wheels. Cams lili! and 448 insure the alignment of the saw tooth butts ofthe sliders 402 so as to be properly engaged by the selecting cams. The selecting cams acting on the saw tooth butts raise the needles at the respective first and second wrap positions to present them at a level for the reception of the wrap yarns which are caused to move relatively to the needles by the abutments 538 and 588 in the fashion described in detail in my application Serial Number 618,114. The wrap yarns' are, of course, presented over the horn ist, kthe wrap yarns being raised by the rise in this horn at ist and being finally vshed over the wire extension at |92. The knitting butts of therlower sliders follow a path over the reverse stitch cam 652, .down the center cam 554 and the forward stitch cam 650, are'then raised slightly by cam -615 for alignment with the saw tooth selecting cams and whether they are raised or Vnot by these are depressed by cam ST1 to rise again over the cam 618 to effect `alignment-l with the saw tooth selecting cams vlill!) for the second wrapped portion. The knitting butts then rise over the cam-*619 to ,repeat the cycle.

'The relation of movement of the needles selected for wrap by cams 40) and the movement of wrap yarn ngers is quite critical. Since the needles are floating, so to speak, in the slider hooks, it is vital that the needles :rise high enough to turn their latches safely and insure the wrap yarn catching or passing below the needle hooks but not high enough to prevent the vwrap finger from passing over the top of .the needles after the finger is projected its full distance. Also' the rstwrap needle of 'the panel must be raised all the way up by a cam 490 before the wrap `finger `passes the needle in order to insure the wrap yarn covering the full panel since it may vhave been last knitI by the last needle of the wrap panel. At the rst wrap position 'the trailing nger is the one which passes the needle row, the leading :finger being carried along by the action of the disc 93. The yield cam 2555 prevents the Enger from jumping across the needle row due to impact with its projecting cam prior to the rise of the needle. All needles raised for wrap at the rst wrap position are then lowered below the original level by the cam .517 after the wrap Vfinger has been returned inside lthe needle row, but not necessarily to its inactive position, by a return cam.

Cam Bit then levels ofi the sliders lfor selection by the cams '4453. Needles raised by the cams Mil) interlace the wrap yarn placed in the hooks of needles at the rstpositionand are then wrapped by the leading finger. It can be readily understood :that with the two yarns interlaced on the i2 same :panel of needles, the matter `of drawing both yarns through to take up the slack :atthe end Yof the wrap horn is much more difcultthan with a single yarn. With only one wrap position, only one Vwrap yarn would have to be controlled.

v'Ihis'would slide easily through the vinterlaced vneedles andthe timing or location of the-endo! the Wrap horn could be placed so as lto'take out all the slack, the interlacing through the-'needles putting very little resistance on yarndrawn'froin the source of supply or on the yarn takeup. With two yarns interlaced on different needles :in the same panel there is considerable resistance due to the wrap yarns crossing and re-crossing each other several times in the same panel, due to selection at the two wrap position. Even in-a narrow panel of ve needles it may be that the yarns will cross each other four times; whereas, if only one yarn'were used there would bevery little interference lto yarn movement through such a panel.

Another probleminvolved is that of protectin the wire 92 from the heeland toe pockets as they are being knit in reciprocation. A clearance Iii-)6 at the sinker knocking over position in run down direction is provided to assist in gettingrthe puckered courses of the .pockets under the lower portion-of |88. It was also found necessary to have the outer .edges of all angles of the plating cam and wrap horn to Vcontact these puckered courses rst thereby presenting a camming in eiect to the fabric. The rounded face at T95 above the outer lower edge ofthe sloping plating cam end [Si provides both a clearance for the wrap yarns around the :wire i192 `and protection for the wire from the puckered fabric duringreciprooation. Also, there must be enough clearance to knit loops without stripping all the `supply through the panel again with the drag incurred. The wire |92 in the end of the wrap horn solves this problem `nicely and at the same time leaves no surplus yarn across vthe back or inside of the wrapped panel. This Vwire sits relatively to. the inside of the needles and as the wrap yarns hit the front angle |94 of the plating cam the excess yarn is drawn through the interlaced needles except for that portion from the last needle-in the previous course to the rst needle ofthe panel wrapped while the wire is still holding the yarn. As this passes on the wire the yarn then cams down and under the angle i9@ vof the plating cam. Since various wrap yarns and patterns require various adjustments of the plating cam and wire the bracket 246 is made adjustable both vertically and circumferentially through the medium of the screws 21%8 and 252 and slots 250.

The details of operation of the wrap yarn carriers have already been described. Interruption ofwrap patterning during the formation of heels and toes may be effected as described in my application Serial Number 68,114.

The details of knitting of heels and toes vform no part of the present invention but may be briey described, reference being made to the application of Robert i-l. Lawson and Paul W. Bristow, Serial Number 728,226, led February 13, 1947, in'which details of the knitting of heels and toes are 'fully set forth. q

At the time knitting of a heel is to be started the upper transfer cam l556 is inserted to transfer vto the lower cylinder sliders all of the needles in the sole section. This action is effected' in the usual fashion. Of the radially movable camsof the set cooperating with sliders in the upper cylinder only cam i372 is now active, this cam' being in a position to engage only long knitting butts of upper sliders while missing short knitting butts. The short knitting butts occur in those sliders which control instep knitting while the long butts occur in the heel section of these sliders. Accord-` ingly, the instep sliders in the upper cylinder will follow a path above the stitch cam 650 while the long butt sliders will follow a path below the stitch cam 660.

In the case of the cams associated with the lower cylinder only cams 050 and 614 are active and these are active only to operate on long knitting butts of the lower sliders. The short knitting butt sliders form the instep section and the long knitting butt sliders and heel section. Cam 664 occupies the upper construction line position illustrated in Figure 15. During the knitting of the heel the short butt lower sliders follow a path at welt level, avoiding depression by the cams 659 and 652 so as to prevent stress on the stitches which the associated needles hold. The long butt lower sliders follow the usual reciprocatory paths undergoing picking in the usual fashion by the pickers E86 and E88 to produce narrowing. In alternate reciprocations they pass down the forward and reverse stitch cams to take a main yarn. The picked up sliders pass above the level of the center cam 654 beneath the bottom of the raised cam 664. Cam 65B is at this time raised to avoid depressing action on the movable walls which would tend to stress rib stitches carried by needles in the upper cylinder.

During widening the lowering picker is brought into operation, this involving temporary control of the lowering picker to hold it between the two ,f

levels of passage of the long butt lower sliders. This control of the lowering picker need not be described herein, being described in detail in the Lawson and Bristow application referred to above.

The knitting of the toe is essentially similar to the knitting of the heel and the brief description oiered above will suice for both.

What is claimed is:

1. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder, needles carried by said cylinder, means carrying a wrap yarn for presentation to needles, a wrap horn about which the wrap yarn is drawn during a wrapping operation, and means mounting said wrap horn for universal adjustment.

2. A knitting machine comprising superposed needle cylinders, needles carrie-d by said cylinders, means carrying a wrap yarn for presentation to needles, a cylinder within one of said needle cylinders, a wrap horn carried by the last mentioned cylinder about which horn the wrap yarn is drawn during a wrapping operation, and means mounting the last mentioned cylinder for universal adjustment.

3. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder, needles carried by said cylinder, a plurality or" means carrying wrap yarns for presentation to needles, means for effecting the selective wrapping by said wrap yarns of a plurality of needles of a single group in a single course so that at least one needle of the group wrapped by one of said wrap yarns is between a pair of needles of the group wrapped by another of said wrap yarns, and a wrap horn about which said wrap yarns are drawn during a wrapping operation, said horn terminating in a wire-like extension located in the region where needles draw loops.

4. A knitting machine comprising superposed needle cylinders, needles carried by said cylinders, a plurality of means carrying wrap yarns for presentation to needles, means for effecting the selective wrapping by said wrap yarns of a plurality of needles of a single group in a single course so that at least one needle of the group wrapped by one of said wrap yarns is between a pair of needles of the group wrapped by another of said wrap yarns, a cylinder within one of said needle cylinders, and a wrap horn carried by the last mentioned cylinder about which horn said wrap yarns are drawn during a wrapping operation, said horn terminating in a Wirelike extension located in the region where needles draw loops.

5. A knitting machine comprising superposed needle cylinders, needles carried by said cylinders, a plurality of means carrying wrap yarns for presentation to needles, means foreiecting the selective wrapping by said wrapA yarns of a plurality of needles of a single group in a single course so that at least one needle of the group wrapped by one of said wrap yarns is between a pair of needles of the group wrapped by another of said wrap yarns, a cylinder within one of said needle cylinders, and a wrap horn carried by the last mentioned cylinder about which horn said wrap yarns are drawn during a wrapping operation.

6. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder, needles carried by the cylinder, means carrying a wrap yarn for presentation to needles, and a wrap horn about which the wrap yarn is drawn during a wrapping operation, said wrap horn having its lower surface contoured to provide a cam engageable with a pocket formed in a stocking knit by the machine.

PAUL W. Bnrs'row.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,025,913 Taggart 1 Dec. 3l, 1935 2,146,750 Lawson et al. Feb 14. 1939 2,221,713 McAdams Nov. 12, 1940 2,225,829 Grothey Dec. 24, 1940 2,244,331 Dickens June 3, 1941 2,283,554 Houseman May 19, 1942 2,302,946 Holmes Nov. 24, 1942 2,464,126 Fregeolle Mar. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 526,963 Great Britain Sept. 30, 1940 

